At a Glance

Ethel Merman. “Show Boat.” “Oklahoma.” Many blocks from Manhattan’s dazzling lights, experience the very same love for Broadway music in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Hear the fingertips of a Broadway aficionado plunk the piano keys as your learning adventure moves from revered show tunes to musical blockbusters. Delight in the virtuoso's arrangements of show tunes. Go close-up on Broadway tunes and shows through captivating video clips. And take your seat for a behind-the-music discussion discovering the glorious history of musical theater!

Activity Level

Easy Going

All facilities are in one building, with approximately 300 yards walking required; a few stairs. Outside areas are mountainous, with inclines and uneven terrain.

Best of all, you'll ...

Learn from an award-winning university professor who is an expert on Broadway musicals and show tunes.

Reminisce and explore from a feel-good list of dozens of musicals and show tunes.

Hear a prized multi-media presentation on Broadway music and explore the genre’s connections to classical and jazz.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Opportunities are available for traveling companions to attend a different program at Montreat during the same week. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Michael Ruiz

Originally from Camden, N.J., Michael Ruiz is a pianist whose original piano concertos were performed by the Winston-Salem Symphony, with each of his three children as soloists. He was featured on CNN for innovative multimedia use of the computer in higher education and was the 2004 University of North Carolina at Asheville recipient of the UNC Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Michael holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Maryland.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Tracy Bailey

View biography

Michael Ruiz

View biography

Suggested Reading List

View 13 books

Dancing in the Sun: Hollywood Choreographers, 1915-1937

by Naima Prevots

One More Kiss

by Ethan Mordden

The Jazz Standards: A Guide to Repertoire

by Ted Gioia

Popular Music in America: And the Beat Goes On

by Michael Campbell

The Golden Age of Cinema: Hollywood, 1929-1945

by Richard Jewell

The History of Jazz

by Ted Gioia

Everything is Coming Up Roses

by Ethan Mordden

The Hollywood Musical (2nd edition)

by Jane Feuer

Film Choreographers and Dance Directors: An Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia with a History and Filmographies

Recommended Adventures

Afternoon: Arrival at the Assembly Inn, check in between 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. Registration for our program will be from 4 - 5:30 in the lower lobby. Spend some time walking around the lovely grounds. Concrete and gravel paths surround Lake Susan... or venture out with your map to explore the campus.

Dinner: Join us for a scrumptious dinner in the Galax Dining Room, located on the first floor of the Assembly Inn. A full salad bar, choice of two different entrées, vegetables, rolls/bread, fruit and dessert will tempt your taste buds and your appetite. Sweet/unsweetened tea, milk, coffee, hot water w/ tea or cold water at our beverage stations. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Evening: Our opening program/orientation will be at 7 p.m. in Convocation Hall (also in the Assembly Inn). We'll spend some time giving you some history and orientation to this special place, reviewing the schedule for the week, and you'll have an opportunity to meet and hear from your instructors. We know you're tired from your travels, so our evening with end around 8 p.m. with some "get to know you" activities. Refreshments, Fellowship/games and puzzles await those who desire to stay up a little later.

DAY

2

The Beginnings (1860-1927), optional walk, evening program

Montreat, NC

B,L,D

Assembly Inn

Activity note: classroom based program. Join us 7:30 - 7:45 in the main lobby for early morning stretches with Martha Nelson

Breakfast: Whether you like muffins, pancakes or waffles, bacon or sausage, grits or oatmeal, biscuits and gravy or a bowl of cereal and some fruit, breakfast in the Galax Dining Room, served from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. is sure to please! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Morning: The Beginnings (1860-1927). We start with the inspiration of musicals from across the Atlantic, musicals such as the "Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert and Sullivan along with the "Merry Widow" with the music of Franz Lehar. We also encounter rising composers on the American scene such Victor Herbert and the American icon George M. Cohan. Other great musicians of this era include the George and Ira Gershwin team, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and Sigmund Romberg. We'll have a mid-morning break for refreshments and fellowship.

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:15 - 1:15 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. The lunch menu varies each day, but normally features a salad bar, sandwich fixings, soup, and a yummy (light) dessert to top it off.

Afternoon: Our afternoon class with Michael Ruiz continues to focus on the wonderful beginnings of Broadway. Around 3:30 p.m., there will be a Walk Around Montreat (guided tour of grounds) or free time

Evening: Our evening program in Convocation Hall will feature Joshua Messick. Joshua is a North Carolina-based professional hammered dulcimer player, who is inspired by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and diverse sounds from all over the world. The versatile nature of the hammered dulcimer allows Joshua to explore new sounds and different genres. This inspiration is weaved into his music. You will be amazed as Joshua plays World Fusion, New Acoustic, Classical, Folk, and Traditional Holiday Favorites during his performance. After the performance the rest of the evening is at leisure, with optional activities in the lobby of the Inn for fellowship.

DAY

3

The Musical Takes Shape and the Golden Age Begins 1928-1950

Montreat, NC

B,L,D

Assembly Inn

Activity note: classroom based program. Join us 7:30 - 7:45 in the main lobby for early morning stretches with Martha Nelson

Morning: The Musical Takes Shape and the Golden Age Begins (1928-1950). The musical matures, taking a leap forward as Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II work on "Show Boat." The growth of the musical continues with Broadway names like Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, Frederick Lowe, and Julie Stein. Among the musical titles in this period are "Girl Crazy," "The Band Wagon," "Anything Goes," and "The Boys from Syracuse." Then another leap is made with "Oklahoma!" (Rodgers and Hammerstein II), marking the beginning of the Golden Era. We'll have a mid morning break between the two classes to enjoy refreshments and fellowship.

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:15 - 1:15 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Today's feature: Taco Tuesday! Enjoy Mexican dishes... build your own taco or burrito, or make a Mexican salad. All the trimmings make for a delicious and fun lunch...including tortilla chips and melted cheese... sour cream and peppers. Top it all off with some warm peach cobbler and ice cream. Yum Yum!

Afternoon: Back to the classroom for more explorations of the Golden Age of Broadway. After class (around 3:30 p.m., there will be an optional hike in the mountains or free time

Dinner: Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Evening: 7:00 - 8:00 evening program: Evening programs are typically a fun event -- a dance, a concert, or a storyteller games/cards/tv available in lobby for fellowship and optional movie on big screen.

DAY

4

The Golden Era Continues (1950s-1960s); free afternoon

Montreat, NC

B,L,D

Assembly Inn

Activity note: classroom based program. Join us 7:30 - 7:45 in the main lobby for early morning stretches with Martha Nelson

Breakfast: Come on down to the Galax Dining room for another great breakfast buffet, served from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Morning: The Golden Era Continues (1950s-1960s). We now come to such well-known musicals as "On the Town," "Carousel," "Finian's Rainbow," "Kiss Me, Kate," "South Pacific," "Guys and Dolls," "The King and I," "Peter Pan," "My Fair Lady," "The Music Man," "West Side Story," "Gypsy," "The Sound of Music," "Camelot," "Oliver," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Cabaret," and "Mame."

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:15 - 1:15 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the area! We'll provide a listing of area attractions and directions for explorations on your own!

Dinner: Assembly Inn Dining Room, Dinner 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Our farm to table meal. Many of us have lost a connection with our food. Food comes in boxes and shrink-wrap, and rarely as raw, natural ingredients! We could have misconceptions of how the food was grown, or what are the best products to use. Being aware of where your food comes from can lead to a greater appreciation for your food. The Farm to Table meal here at Montreat tonight includes Caribbean chicken {coconut sauce}, from Coleman farms, Clinton, SC; Herb baked catfish from Ayden, NC; rice pilaf; sauteed kale from the Robertson family farm in Marietta, SC; roasted carrots from GA, rolls, fruit, salad, dessert. Some substitutions may be necessary, depending on the availability of fresh vegetables. Many of our desserts are “handmade” by our staff baker, Joyce. We are excited to participate in The Farm to Table movement, because it when we use locally produced foods, we know where our food comes from. We re-establish the link between farmers and other people.

Evening: The 50s were arguably Broadway’s finest decade, with classic shows by Lerner and Loewe, Frank Loesser, Adler and Ross, and Meredith Wilson. In the 60s, the shows became more daring, going into places such as Russian ghettos, Nazi nightclubs, and Spanish prisons that would have been unthinkable a decade earlier. And music, for better or worse, became more tightly integrated with the book. Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman are among the outstanding creative forces.

DAY

5

The New Era (1970-2000)

Montreat, NC

B,L,D

Assembly Inn

Activity note: classroom based program. Join us 7:30 - 7:45 in the main lobby for early morning stretches with Martha Nelson

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. If you haven't tried the grits yet, you really should!

Morning: The New Era (1970-2000). The post Golden Age era brings us music and lyrics from the marvelous Stephen Sondheim, who was the lyricist for "West Side Story," and "Gypsy." His string of hits include "Company," "Follies," "A Little Night Music," "Sweeney Todd," "Sunday in the Park with George," and "Into the Woods." Other prominent musicals of this era are "A Chorus Line," "Chicago," "Annie," "Evita," "Cats," "Nine," "La Cage Aux Folles," "Les Miserables," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Miss Saigon," "Beauty and the Beast," "Rent," and "The Lion King."

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:30 - 1:30 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Afternoon: During our afternoon course the music of Broadway, with finish up our exploration with the 70s and beyond. Choreography, which had always been there, becomes a more important element. Some critics argue that as the shows become more and more about scenic spectacle, they become less and less about memorable music. 3:30 - 5:30 free time

Dinner: Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Morning: The New Century (2000s). The 21st Century brings us "Aida," "Mamma Mia!" "Hairspray," "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "Curtains," "The Little Mermaid," and "The Book of Mormon." In this modern period is a musical that holds the record for the most Tony Awards (12), "The Producers" by Mel Brooks. A mid morning break for refreshments will give time for participants to check out (required by 11 a.m.) Our Anthology of Musicals, which all participants will receive the first day of class, contains a listing of 150 musicals with dates and 425 show tunes with composers/lyricists. We will have the opportunity during the week to cover and hear excerpts of many songs from these great musicals.

Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30 lunch in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (those who cannot stay for lunch may request a box lunch to take with them)

Meals

15 Meals

5 Breakfasts

5 Lunches

5 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Fat, Low Salt, Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

The Montreat Conference Center’s Assembly Inn is a beautiful stone building overlooking picturesque Lake Susan, a small lake perfect for canoes and paddle boats. The historic Inn, which dates to 1928, has a spacious lobby with a fireplace, a baby grand piano and comfortable furniture for friendly gatherings, puzzles and games, or just relaxing. All accommodations, meeting facilities and the dining room are in this building, and an elevator services all floors. All rooms have private baths. There are no TVs or phones in rooms, but there is a TV in the main lobby. Montreat offers more than a dozen maintained hiking trails. Also available are tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool. Good to know: Wi-Fi throughout campus; public computer in lobby. Daily housekeeping. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.

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8 Reviews

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4.75 Average

Eugene

Class of 1988

Indianapolis, IN

(5)9 months ago

Too much questioning

Jane

Class of 2017

Durham, NC

(5)9 months ago

Our instructor Mike was terrific! Although not a scholar in the field, he had done his homework on over 100 musicals, and was eager to impart his knowledge to the class. Plus his piano skills allowed him to illustrate certain themes to the group. I especially enjoyed his tracing of the evolution of songs/musicals in different eras. Although you didn't need to have ever attended a Broadway musical performance, several group members had participated in various aspects of the theater. I learned more and enjoyed the program more than I expected. This program can be enjoyed by any fitness level (there were people in wheelchairs, on oxygen, etc.) but there are also walking opportunities and a hike for those more fit.

Ronald

Class of 2018

Mt Juliet, TN

(4)11 months ago

The program consisted of watching clips from Broadway musicals. Though the clips were interesting, there was not much activity. It was more like a classroom.

Angela

Class of 2009

Oak Island, NC

(5)a year ago

Roadscholar is a wonderful program. I have been on 7 programs and they have been very interesting to me. I learn a lot and look forward to other program in the future.

Kathlyn

Class of 2016

Tucson, AZ

(5)a year ago

Road scholar is a wonderful program for senior citizens who are interested in learning new things,meeting new people, and seeing new places.

Nancy

Class of 2017

Waukee, IA

This reviewer did not give a star rating.a year ago

Curtains UP! was a fantastic experience. The setting was lovely and the presenter a ball of energy with interesting material, in adddition to musical talent.
The evening entertainment was also welcome and excellent for body and soul. I don't think I could have danced all night, however, especially with children as partners sometimes. I did give it a go for about an hour.
While I have both salt and sugar restrictions, I thought the meals were varied enough, I could skirt those issues pretty well and still get plenty to eat. The duvet's were a little too heavy for the weather so it was nice to have a thinner blanket available. Likewise the extra pillow is a good idea for those of us with cranky legs and backs although mine was too hard to tuck where I needed it.
I also enjoyed having some free time to walk and rest a bit, or visit with some of the many interesting participants of all programs on campus.

Patricia

Class of 2010

Two Rivers, WI

(5)a year ago

The North Carolina setting is magnificent. The food is excellent, varied, and generous. The rooms are very basic. For those of you who love Broadway, this is a feast. Unfortunately, there are no sing-alongs. The classroom is adequate-the chairs tend to put your backside to sleep. Instructor questions are welcomed. Lots of videos and some piano performance by the instructor. Lots of fun!

Joan

Class of 2016

Clarkesville, GA

(5)a year ago

Our instructor, Michael Ruiz is enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. He is also a very accomplished musician. In fact I did hope that a little more of his program might have been with him playing. (He played for us one evening which was great. ) and had we stayed another week the adjacent program on Broadway would have had much more of Michael playing. We did not choose that one as we weren’t interested in the sing along portion, but the other two parts sound great.
. He covered over 150 Broadway musicals primarily through video clips, from 1860 to today. Lots of favorites and some I want to investigate further. If you like to hear the signature and significant songs from broadway, you will enjoy this program. Montreat Inn is a beautiful historic conference center in the smoky mountains. The food was very good.

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